Stacy Konwiser, 38, was preparing a male tiger to be cleaned and fed when zoo officials said something went wrong.

Konwiser was rushed to the hospital while the zoo went on lock down, forcing patrons to leave the area.

The zoo remained closed over the weekend while multiple agencies investigate Konwiser’s death.

Zoo officials say the Malayan tiger was tranquilized but his safety was never in jeopardy.

The breed is considered endangered and experts say there are fewer than 250 left in the world.

According to the Palm Beach Zoo’s Facebook Page, Konwiser's husband, also a zoo employee, released a statement over the weekend.

“Please thank everyone for their support and kind words. This is a tragic and traumatic event for the zoo family but together we can help each other heal. Human beings and animals lost a wonderful friend yesterday.”The zoo has set up the Stacy Konwiser Tiger Conservation Fund in honor of the zookeeper.

Carter said the zoo is not identifying male tiger involved in the mauling, but three out of the four Malayan tigers at the zoo are male.